Bulk syrup delivery system

ABSTRACT

A bulk syrup delivery system in which a compartmentized tank delivery truck includes a plurality of separate compartments or tanks, generally one for each of several different types of soft drink syrup. One multichannel delivery hose, having one channel or passageway for each type of syrup, extends from a hose reel on the delivery truck to a delivery receptacle at the account. The account has a plurality of separate storage tanks, each of which is coupled to the delivery receptacle, which is designed to couple to the end of the delivery hose, such that each compartment in the delivery truck couples to the proper storage tank in the account. A plurality of separate check or closure valves are installed in each side of the coupling between the hose and the delivery receptacle, such that flow therebetween is prevented until the valves are opened. The compartments in the delivery truck are pressurized (e.g. 100 psi), such that the syrups flow from the truck into the account storage tanks until the latter are full, after which the hose/receptacle connection is terminated. Each of the fluid channels or passageways is coupled to a separate delivery meter such that the amount of each type of syrup is metered during the delivery. The meters can be operated in conjunction with a load ticket carried by the driver, the insertion of which into the meter arrangement resets to zero each of the meters and also enables operation of the delivery system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a system for the bulkdelivery of syrup to an account, and more particularly pertains to anintegrated system for delivering a plurality of different flavoredsyrups to an account such as a fast food retail establishment which usesand dispenses those items in heavy volumes.

2. Discussion of the Prior Art

Soft drink syrups, such as cola syrups, flavored syrups such as grape,lemon, root beer, syrups for diet drinks, caffein free syrups, etc. arecurrently delivered to accounts which dispense and sell those productsin individual transfer containers or tanks, typically in five gallonvolumes. A full five gallon transfer tank weighs approximately sixtypounds, and accordingly the delivery of these transfer tanks to useraccounts typically requires a substantial ammount of manual labor in atime consuming and labor intensive delivery operation. The transfertanks are delivered to accounts, such as fast food establishments andrestaurants having fountain service, by a delivery truck equipped tostore and handle both full and empty transfer tanks.

The driver of a delivery truck of this kind must carry empty transfertanks from the commissary area of an account and load them onto thedelivery truck, and must then unload full tanks from the truck andtransfer them to a commissary storage area at the account. This laborintensive operation requires a strong driver, which often restricts thetype of personnel capable of making these deliveries. A deliveryoperation of this nature is quite time consuming, and a very efficientdelivery person can deliver possibly seven hundred and fifty to onethousand gallons of syrup per day. Moreover, the delivery personfrequently has other responsibilities to be carried out at an account,such as the delivery of other account related items such as carbondioxide tanks, paper cups, etc.

This type of prior art delivery system requires a sizable investment intransfer tanks, and also requires a substantial amount of manual laborby personnel at the account. The account personnel must periodicallydisconnect empty transfer tanks and reconnect full tanks in their place.Moreover, this replacement operation must be carried out in a sanitarymanner, and new O rings must be installed on fittings during theconnection of each full transfer tank.

A prior art delivery system of this nature has other problems associatedtherewith such as pilferage of syrup from partially full containers. Thecommissary areas of accounts also require a substantial amount ofstorage area for both full and empty storage transfer tanks, and thesecommissary areas are frequently maintained in a disorderly and unkemptmanner.

A field of prior art somewhat related to the present invention existswith respect to the delivery of petroleum products, such as heating oiland gasoline, from tank delivery trucks. However, these prior artsystems typically deliver to a home or station through a single passagedelivery hose, and are not concerned with sanitation and other relatedproblems of a syrup distribution system analogous to the presentinvention.

Bonnard et al. U.S. Pat. No. 2,965,124 is somewhat of interest to thepresent invention by disclosing a multicompartmented tank truck for usein the petroleum industry for the delivery of what are known as whiteproducts and brown products. White products include gasoline, whilebrown products include diesel fuel, kerosene etc., and mixing orcontamination of the two products must be avoided or reduced to aminimum. In the disclosed arrangement, contamination between the twotypes of products is minimized by using separate meters and deliveryhoses.

Weston et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,360,000 is also somewhat of interest tothe subject invention by disclosing a multicompartmented tank truckwherein the tank compartments have separate delivery lines leading to adistributor or junction box which has valves for routing the deliveryfrom any compartment to either one of two outflow lines, but not bothsimultaneously. A mannually-operable selector is coupled to thedistributor valves to enable valves corresponding to selected tankcompartments to be opened in an arrangement wherein the manner ofopening of the valves can be selected in advance so that each tankcompartment is connectable through the distributor to only a particularone of the outflow lines.

Billington et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,230,161 is also somewhat relevant tothe present invention by disclosing an arrangement in which a tankdelivery truck is loaded from a bulk storage tank for the delivery ofvarious flammable petroleum products. The disclosed arrangement includesa plurality of check valves which are provided for safety reasons in theevent of an inadvertent rupture of one or more of the filler and vaporreturn flexible hose lines.

A commercially available system for the delivery of carbon dioxide tofast food establishments is also part of the known prior art. However,this system is somewhat analogous to the aforementioned petroleumdelivery systems in that a single compartment insulated tank truckdelivers carbon dioxide through a single hose to an insulated carbondioxide storage tank in an arrangement which does not require thedelivery person to have cryogenic skill.

However, none of the aforementioned fluid product delivery systemsdisclose a multiple product delivery system utilizing a multichanneldelivery concept similar to the present invention, and none is concernedwith the sanitation and other related problems of a syrup distributionsystem analogous to the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to providea system for the bulk delivery of syrups to an account such as a fastfood retail establishment.

A further object of the subject invention is the provision of a systemfor the bulk delivery of syrups of the aforementioned kind which:reduces delivery costs and thereby should increase sales and profits,reduces the requirement for capital equipment investment and inventory,alleviates the several previously mentioned problems associated withdeliveries to commissaries, reduces both the manual labor and the timerequired for a delivery and simultaneously frees the delivery person forthe performance of other tasks such as the delivery of other items suchas cups, etc., eliminates the required handling and transfer of heavycontainers and thereby eliminates the danger and safety factorsassociated therewith, allows deliveries of syrup to be made at moreconvenient times such as at night when there is less traffic, allowsdeliveries to be made with a minimum of inconvenience and disturbance toan account, provides a substantially totally sealed delivery system toachieve a more sanitary delivery, eliminates problems associated withpilferage of partially filled return transfer containers, is extremelyattractive to and compatible with delivery to high volume accounts,allowing estimated deliveries with one tank truck to achieve deliveryvolumes of two thousand gallons of syrup per day, is convenient andextremely efficient in maintaining accurate records of deliveries toaccounts, substantially reduces the labor and responsibilities ofpersonnel at the account to maintain syrup containers full, allows anaccount to reduce syrup transfer container storage space, allows anaccount to relocate syrup storage containers to more remote andconvenient storage areas such as basements and back rooms, eliminatesthe need for the return of empty or partially full transfer containers,and eliminates or substantially reduces many cleanliness and sanitaryproblems associated with current syrup distribution systems.

In accordance with the teachings herein, the present invention providesa system for the bulk delivery to an account of a plurality of differentflavored syrups in which a compartmentized tank delivery truck has aplurality of separate compartments for the storage and delivery of aplurality of different flavored syrups. A plurality of delivery metersare provided for metering the delivered syrups, with a separate meterbeing provided for each different type of syrup to be delivered. Amultichannel delivery hose is extendible from the tank delivery truckand includes at least one channel for each different flavored syrup. Amultichannel delivery coupling is provided at the delivery end of themultichannel hose and has a plurality of closure valves therein, one foreach channel in the delivery coupling. The multichannel deliverycoupling can also incorporate therein a plurality of check valves, onefor each channel, to ensure that syrup does not flow in the wrongdirection, as might otherwise be caused by an inadvertent reversal ofpressures.

In greater detail, the bulk syrup delivery system includes a pluralityof separate tanks at the account, one for each different flavored syrup,and the account is fitted with a terminal in which a correspondingmatching multichannel receiving coupling is provided for connection tothe delivery coupling. The receiving coupling can also be provided witha plurality of check valves therein, one for each channel in thereceiving coupling. The terminal is preferably mounted on an exteriorwall of the account building, and comprises a terminal housing with alock thereon to prevent unauthorized access thereto. The multichanneldelivery and receiving couplings also incorporate a manually operatedcoupling member for securing the delivery coupling to the receivingcoupling, with the connection of the coupling members simultaneouslysecuring and sealing the coupling members together and also opening theplurality of closure valves to enable delivery of the different flavoredsyrups to an account.

Delivery of the syrups to the account is accomplished by pressurizingthe syrup compartments on the truck to pump the syrups into thecorresponding tanks at the account, such that the syrups flow underpressure into the corresponding account tanks until the latter are full,at which time an equilibrium is reached and the delivery can beterminated.

Another advantageous feature of the present invention is that the metersare provided with an associated receptacle for the receipt of a loadticket, the insertion of which therein zeroes all of the meters andenables operation of the delivery system. The load ticket then recordsthe quantity of each different flavored syrup delivered to the account.

In different embodiments disclosed herein the multichannel delivery hoseis formed as a one piece, extruded honeycomb hose, or comprises aplurality of separate tubes which are encased by an outer jacket. Themultichannel delivery hose can have the channels configured with acentral channel and a plurality of circumferential channels positionedtherearound. Moreover, the delivery hose can advantageously include aplurality of different sized channels, with the larger sized channelsbeing provided for flavored syrups which the account dispenses ingreater volumes, and one larger sized channel is advantageouslypositioned as one of the circumferential channels to provide for properpositioning of the delivery coupling with respect to the receivingcoupling. The central channel can also comprise a larger sized channel.

The bulk syrup delivery system can further advantageously include a hosestorage drum on the delivery truck, about which the multichanneldelivery hose is wound between deliveries to different accounts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing objects and advantages of the present invention for a bulksyrup distribution system may be more readily understood by one skilledin the art with reference being had to the following detaileddescription of several preferred embodiments thereof, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like elements aredesignated by identical reference numerals throughout the several views,and in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a compartmentizedtank, bulk syrup delivery truck constructed pursuant to the teachings ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an elevational view of the compartmentized tank truckand an enlarged schematic view of the metering arrangement on the tanktruck and a multichannel delivery hose extending therefrom, with thedelivery coupling at the end thereof being shown in enlarged detail;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged elevational front view of only the meteringarrangement of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of an account building showing asyrup delivery terminal housing mounted on an exterior wall thereof;

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a multichannel conduit whichextends from the syrup delivery terminal of FIG. 4 to a plurality ofseparate storage tanks located inside the account building;

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of amultichannel delivery coupling at the end of the delivery hose placedopposite the end of a multichannel receiving coupling, which is normallypositioned in a delivery terminal housing at an account building;

FIG. 7 illustrates the multichannel couplings of FIG. 5 coupled to eachother in an operative delivery position;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the components of the multichannelreceiving coupling in a disassembled state;

FIG. 9 illustrates a schematic arrangement of a closure valve and checkvalves provided in the connection of one channel of the multichannelcouplings; and

FIG. 10 is a cross sectioned view of a second embodiment of amultichannel delivery hose or conduit formed as a one piece, extrudedhoneycomb hose.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the drawings in detail, FIG. 1 is a plan view of anexemplary embodiment of a compartmentized tank, bulk syrup deliverytruck 10 having five smaller sized syrup compartments 12, two largersized syrup compartments 14, and seven carbon dioxide tanks 16 mountedthereon. The larger syrup compartments are for the delivery of syrupssuch as a cola syrup which accounts typically dispense in greatervolumes than other different flavored syrups. The compartments 12 and 14can contain a variety of syrups such as cola, root beer, lemon, grape orother fruit based syrups, diet syrups or caffein free syrups. Each ofthese syrup compartments is connected through individual flow conduitsto individual delivery meters 18 in a metering arrangement 20 mounted atthe rear of the truck.

Each of the metered fluids then flows into one flow channel of amultichannel delivery hose 22, which between deliveries to differentaccounts, is wound around a hose storage drum 24 mounted on the rear ofthe truck. The multichannel delivery hose in the illustrated embodimenthas seven individual channels, although either a lesser or greaternumber of channels could be implemented in alternative embodimentsdepending upon the design of the delivery system and the types ofaccounts serviced thereby.

The multichannel hose can be comprised of seven individual tubes, in amanner similar to the multichannel conduit of FIG. 7, which can be anytype of NSF food grade approved tubing, which are encased by a suitableouter jacket 26. The center channel 28 and one circumferential orperipheral channel 30 have a larger diameter than five other peripheralchannels. The larger diameter channels deliver a flavored syrup such asa cola syrup which accounts typically dispense in greater volumes thanother different flavored syrups, and which are carried in the largercompartments 14 of the truck. The multichannel delivery hose terminatesin a multichannel delivery coupling 32 at the delivery end of themultichannel delivery hose and having a plurality of closure valvestherein, one for each channel in the delivery coupling. The multichanneldelivery coupling is designed to plug in and be secured to acorresponding multichannel receiving coupling as described in greaterdetail hereinbelow.

The carbon dioxide or other suitible gases tanks 16 are coupled to eachof the individual syrup tanks 12 and are utilized to pressurize (e.g.100 psi) each compartment to pump the syrups during a delivery operationinto corresponding separate tanks at an account, such that the syrupsflow under pressure into the corresponding tanks at an account until thetanks are full, at which time an equilibrium is reached and the deliverycan be terminated.

The metering arrangement 20 includes seven delivery meters 18, FIG. 3,one for each compartment, and can be somewhat automated by incorporatingtherein an associated receptacle 34 for receipt of a load ticket. Theinsertion of the load ticket into the receptacle zeroes each of themeters and enables operation of the delivery system, and the load ticketlater records the quantity of each different flavored syrup delivered toan account. The zero setting of the meters can be accomplishedelectromechanically by microswitch 36 tripped at 38 by the load ticket,or optically by a light beam interrupted by the presence of the loadticket. The resetting of the individual meters can be accomplished inany known manner, for instance electromechanically in a manner similarto the resetting of a trip odometer in an automobile. In greater detail,each meter is coupled to a corresponding printing device. Each meter canconsist of a wheel type unit in the fluid line that is rotated by thepassing of liquid. A magnetic or similar pickup is utilized to detectrotation of the wheel axle to count the revolutions of the wheel. Themeter can be designed such that it must be reset to zero eithermechanically or electrically before a syrup delivery operation can beinitiated. Further, the meter can be designed such that a deliveryticket, invoice, bill or similar document must be in place beforedelivery can start. This interlock can be incorporated into the zero setinterlock. The document can be locked into the unit until liquid flowceases and the meter readings are printed on the document. Restart ofliquid flow will then be prohibited until another document is insertedand the meters are zeroed. A cumulative meter can also be incorporatedinto each unit to record the total flow of each channel. This unit canbe resettable by a special key, either electrically or mechanically, andis utilized to monitor total deliveries per day or per route.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an account building 39 with asyrup delivery terminal housing 40 mounted on an exterior wall thereof.The terminal housing 40 will normally have a lock 42 thereon to preventunauthorized access to a multichannel receiving coupling 44 mountedtherein. As shown schematically in FIG. 4, a multichannel conduit 48,which can be constructed in a manner similar to the multichanneldelivery hose, leads from the receiving coupling 44 to a plurality ofstorage tanks 50 in a commissary or other storage area of the account,with at least one storage tank being provided for each different flavorsyrup. The storage tanks 50 can be transfer tanks as now in commercialusage, or can be larger storage compartments, or could be disposabletypes of tanks such as a bag in a box type of storage container.Advantageously, with the inventive bulk syrup delivery system, thestorage containers can be stored in a remote area of the building, suchas in a basement, as constant access thereto for replacement ofcontainers is no longer required, both by the account personnel and thedelivery person.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of one exemplary embodiment ofboth a multichannel delivery coupling 32 and a correspondingmultichannel receiving coupling 44 adapted to mate therewith. Thereceiving coupling 44 includes a plurality of female channel portsconfigured with a central part 52 and a plurality of circumferentialports positioned therearound. The multichannel receiving coupling isalso constructed with both larger and smaller sized channels therein,with the larger sized channels being provided for flavored syrups whichthe account dispenses in higher volumes. At least one larger sized part54 of the coupling is positioned as one of the circumferential ports toprovide for proper positioning of the receiving coupling with respect tothe corresponding delivery coupling 32 at an account, as described ingreater detail hereinbelow. In the illustrated embodiment the centralport 52 is also utilized as a larger sized fluid channel.

Referring to FIG. 8, the receiving coupling 44 is constructed of severalmajor components, including a major housing member 56 defining thechannel ports at one end and having corresponding projecting tubularconnections at the opposite end, over which tubular hoses 60 aremounted. The outer casing 26 of the multichannel receiving conduit 48 isattached to an externally threaded tubular member 58, through which theseven individual delivery tubes 60 of the conduit pass. The couplinghousing 56 has a circumferential collar 62 defined therearound, againstwhich one end of the tubular member 58 abuts. A large nut 64 with aninternal collar 65 passes over the opposite end of the coupling housing56, with the collar 65 axially abutting against the collar 62, andthreadedly engages and attaches to the tubular member 58, drawing thatmember snugly against the collar 62, thereby assembling the majorcomponents of the receiving coupling 44 into one unitary assembly.

The receiving coupling 44 also includes a check valve for each channelport which operates in a manner known, per se in the art and shown ingreater detail in FIG. 9, to prevent a reverse flow of syrup through thechannel port in the event of a pressure reversal. The delivery couplinghousing 56 also defines a groove 68 extending circumferentially aroundthe housing body. This groove 68 cooperates with a plurality of radiallydisplaceable balls or detents in the delivery coupling 32 to secure andlock the two couplings together, in a manner explained in greater detailhereinbelow.

The delivery coupling 32 is constructed with a generally cylindricalopening into which the projecting cylindrical portion of receivinghousing 56 is adapted to be inserted. Within the cylindrical opening,seven axially projecting male tubular connectors 72 are arranged in apattern to match the seven channel ports of the receiving coupling 44,with two of the tubular connectors having a larger diameter to matchchannel ports 52 and 54. Each male tubular connection has a groove 74extending circumferentially around its outer surface in which an O ring75, FIG. 9, is normally positioned to provide a seal between each maletubular connector and a corresponding internal groove 76, FIG. 9, in itscorresponding channel port when the delivery and receiving couplings areconnected together. A seal is established during the initial part of theconnection such that the seals are functional prior to opening of theclosure valves in the delivery coupling 32, as described in greaterdetail hereinbelow.

The cylindrical housing member 70, which is preferably constructed ofmetal such as aluminum, has a circumferential collar 78 definedtherearound. A generally cylindrical housing member 80, which may beformed of plastic, fits over the external cylindrical surface of thedelivery coupling housing member 70, and is axially displaceablerelative thereto, as indicated by arrow 82, FIG. 7. A plurality of setscrews 84 project radially inwardly from a circumferential collar 86 ofthe housing member 70 and extend into axially extending grooves 88formed in the outer cylindrical surface of cylindrical housing member 70to limit and define the axial displacement of housing member 80 relativeto housing member 70.

The housing member 80 is axially displaceable between a position asillustrated in FIG. 7, in which the delivery and receiving couplings arenot locked together, and a position as illustrated in FIG. 6, in whichthe shoulder 86 of the plastic housing member 80 abuts against thecollar 78, in which the delivery and receiving couplings 32, 44 arenormally locked together. For this purpose, a plurality of lockingdetents or balls 88 are spaced circumferentially around the innercylindrical surface of the cylindrical housing member 70. The innersurface of housing member 80 defines a very slightly taperedfrustoconical surface with the wider diameter portion thereof nearshoulder 86. In this arrangement, axial displacement of housing member80 to a position whereat shoulders 78 and 86 abut each other causes aradially inward movement of locking balls or detents 88 into thecircumferential groove 68 on housing 56 to lock the two couplings 32 and44 together during a syrup delivery operation.

The delivery coupling 32 includes a round cover plate 90, hingedlymounted at 92 to the housing member 80, which normally is closed tocover and protect all of the elements within housing member 70 betweensyrup delivery operations. The cover plate 90 is pivoted back and awayfrom the housing member 80 prior to connection for a syrup delivery, asillustrated in both FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIG. 9 illustrates schematically the arrangement of a closure valve orseal 92 and a check valve 94 provided in each male tubular connector 72of the delivery coupling 32. The check valve includes an axiallymoveable, generally conical valve element 94 which allows fluid flow inthe direction of arrow 96, but which is forced closed by any attemptedflow in the opposite direction. A spring 98 biased closure valve 92 isopened by a central axially extending cone shaped pin 100 forming partof the valve arrangement which is positioned in the correspondingchannel port upon connection of the two components. The pin 100 can bemounted by a spider member 102 in the channel port. The conical checkvalve 66 in the channel port functions similar to the check valve 94 toallow fluid flow only in the direction of arrow 104. The check andclosure valves are incorporated into the delivery hose coupling andcustomer coupling or interface units of the bulk delivery system toensure that the system passes fluids only when properly connected to aninterface. The interface has check valves therein to prevent the releaseof liquid or gas at the filling port. The spring loaded seal or closurevalve 92 in each line is opened only when contacted by the pin 100 ofthe customer interface seal, and these seals are positioned within therespective lines at a proper distance to ensure proper mating beforefluid or gas is permitted to flow therethrough.

FIG. 10 illustrates a sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of amultichannel honeycomb delivery hose or conduit 108, which canadvantageously be extruded in a suitable plastic in one piece through anappropriate extrusion die. This exemplary multichannel conduit has sixseparate circumferential channels 110 therein and one slightly largercentral channel 112, but obviously this principle encompasses otherextruded honeycomb emobodiments having a greater or lesser number ofconduits or conduit shapes in alternate honeycomb configurations.

The bulk syrup delivery system of the present invention could bemodified in many respects from the illustrated embodiment, for instance,with regard to the number and arrangement of channels, the design of theclosure and check valves, a reversal of male to female fittings, etc.Also, the delivery and receiving tanks can be insulated, as appropriate,in different embodiments.

One alternative embodiment could combine a carbon dioxide deliverysystem, with the provision of carbon dioxide delivery and storage tanksand also the provision of a carbon dioxide delivery channel. In thisembodiment, the pressurizing carbon dioxide tanks 16 could be eliminatedin favor of a single insulated carbon dioxide delivery tank on the truckwhich would serve to both supply pressure to the syrup tanks 12, 14 andalso deliver carbon dioxide to an insulated carbon dioxide storage tankat the account.

While several embodiments and variations of the present invention for abulk syrup delivery system are described in detail herein, it should beapparent that the disclosure and teachings of the present invention willsuggest many alternative designs to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A bulk syrup delivery system for the bulkdelivery to an account of a plurality of different flavored syrups, tothereby eliminate many of the problems associated with the delivery ofsyrups to accounts in individual transfer containers, the delivery ofwhich requires a substantial amount of manual labor in a time consumingand labor intensive delivery operation, and also eliminates the sizeableinvestment in transfer tanks and the problems associated with thestorage of and connection to the transfer tanks, the bulk deliverysystem, comprising:a. a compartmentized tank delivery truck having aplurality of separate compartments thereon for the storage and deliveryof a plurality of different flavored syrups; b. a multichannel deliveryhose coupled to said plurality of separate compartments on said deliverytruck and having at least one channel for each different flavored syrup;and c. a multichannel delivery coupling at a delivery end of saidmultichannel delivery hose and having a plurality of closure valvestherein, one for each channel in the delivery coupling.
 2. A bulk syrupdelivery system as specified in claim 1, said delivery truck includingmeans for pressurizing each of said plurality of compartments thereon topump the syrups into corresponding separate tanks at an account, atleast one for each different flavored syrup, such that after connectionto an account, the syrups flow under pressure into the correspondingtanks at an account until the tanks are full, at which time anequilibrium is reached and the delivery can be terminated.
 3. A bulksyrup delivery system as specified in claim 1, said multichanneldelivery hose having a plurality of different sized channels therein,with at least one larger sized channel being provided for a flavoredsyrup which the account dispenses a greater volume of than otherdifferent flavored syrups.
 4. A bulk syrup delivery system as specifiedin claim 1, including a plurality of delivery meters on said deliverytruck for metering of the syrups passed therethrough, with a separatemeter being provided for each different flavored syrup, said pluralityof delivery meters having an associated receptacle for the receipt of aload ticket, the insertion of which into the receptacle zeros each ofthe meters and enables operation of the delivery system, with the loadticket recording the quantity of each different flavored syrup deliveredto an account.
 5. A bulk syrup delivery system as specified in claim 1,said multichannel delivery hose comprising a one piece, extrudedhoneycomb hose.
 6. A bulk syrup delivery system as specified in claim 1,said multichannel delivery hose comprising a plurality of separate tubeswhich are encased by an outer jacket.
 7. A bulk syrup delivery system asspecified in claim 1, said multichannel delivery hose and multichanneldelivery coupling including the channels configured with a centralchannel and a plurality of circumferential channels positioned aroundsaid central channel.
 8. A bulk syrup delivery system as specified inclaim 7, said multichannel delivery hose having a plurality of differentsized channels therein, with at least one larger sized channel beingprovided for a flavored syrup which the account dispenses a greatervolume of than other different flavored syrups, and at least one largersized channel comprising one of said circumferential channels to providefor proper positioning of the delivery coupling with respect to acorresponding receiving coupling at an account.
 9. A bulk syrup deliverysystem as specified in claim 8, said central channel also comprising alarger sized channel.
 10. A bulk syrup delivery system as specified inclaim 1, further including a hose storage drum on said delivery truck,about which said multichannel delivery hose is wound between deliveriesto different accounts.
 11. A bulk syrup delivery system as specified inclaim 1, in combination with a plurality of separate tanks at anaccount, one for each different flavored syrup, the account including areceiving terminal in which a corresponding matching multichannelreceiving coupling is provided for connection to said multichanneldelivery coupling.
 12. A bulk syrup delivery system as specified inclaim 11, said multichannel delivery and receiving couplings having amanually operated coupling means for securing said delivery coupling tosaid receiving coupling, with the manual operation of said couplingmeans to effect a connection of said coupling members simultaneouslysecuring and sealing the corresponding delivery and receiving couplingmembers together and also opening said plurality of closure valves toenable delivery of the different flavored syrups to an account.
 13. Abulk syrup delivery system as specified in claim 12, said multichannelreceiving coupling including a plurality of check valves therein, onefor each channel in the receiving coupling.
 14. A bulk syrup deliverysystem as specified in claim 13, said terminal being mounted exterior toa building at the account, and comprising a terminal housing with a lockthereon to prevent unauthorized access thereto.
 15. A bulk syrupdelivery system as specified in claim 14, said delivery truck includingmeans for pressurizing each of said plurality of compartments thereon topump the syrups into corresponding separate tanks at an account, one foreach different flavored syrup, such that after connection to an account,the syrups flow under pressure into the corresponding tanks at anaccount until the tanks are full, at which time an equilibrium isreached and the delivery can be terminated.
 16. A bulk syrup deliverysystem as specified in claim 15, including a plurality of deliverymeters on said delivery trucks for metering of the syrups passedtherethrough, with a separate meter being provided for each differentflavored syrup, said plurality of delivery meters having an associatedreceptacle for the receipt of a load ticket, the insertion of which intothe receptacle zeros each of the meters and enables operation of thedelivery system, with the load ticket recording the quantity of eachdifferent flavored syrup delivered to an account.
 17. A bulk syrupdelivery system as specified in claim 16, said multichannel deliveryhose having a plurality of different sized channels therein, with atleast one larger sized channel being provided for a flavored syrup whichthe account dispenses a greater volume of than other different flavoredsyrups.
 18. A bulk syrup delivery system as specified in claim 17, saidmultichannel delivery hose, multichannel delivery coupling andmultichannel receiving coupling including the channels configured with acentral channel and a plurality of circumferential channels positionedaround said central channel.
 19. A bulk syrup delivery system asspecified in claim 18, at least one larger sized channel comprising oneof said circumferential channels to provide for proper positioning ofsaid delivery coupling with respect to said corresponding receivingcoupling at the account.
 20. A bulk syrup delivery system as specifiedin claim 19, said central channel also comprising a larger sizedchannel.
 21. A bulk syrup system for the bulk receipt and storage by anaccount of a plurality of different flavored syrups, to therebyeliminate many of the problems associated with the delivery of syrups toaccounts in individual transfer containers, the delivery of whichrequires a substantial amount of manual labor in a time consuming andlabor intensive delivery operation, and also eliminates the sizeableinvestment in transfer tanks and the problems associated with thestorage of and connection to the transfer tanks, the bulk deliverysystem, comprising:a. the account having a plurality of separate syrupstorage tanks for the receipt and storage of a plurality of differentflavored syrups; b. a multichannel hose coupled at a first end to saidplurality of separate syrup storage tanks and having at least onechannel for each different flavored syrup; and c. a syrup deliveryreceiving terminal mounted exterior to a building at the account,comprising a terminal housing with a lock thereon to preventunauthorized access thereto; and d. a multichannel receiving coupling ata second, syrup delivery receiving end of said multichannel deliveryhose mounted in said syrup delivery receiving terminal, and having aplurality of closure valves therein, one for each channel in thedelivery coupling, whereby a bulk syrup delivery to the account can bemade by coupling a multichannel delivery coupling from a syrup deliverytruck to said receiving coupling.
 22. A bulk syrup system as specifiedin claim 21, said multichannel hose having a plurality of differentsized channels therein, with at least one larger sized channel therein,being provided for a flavored syrup which the account dispenses agreater volume of than other different flavored syrups.
 23. A bulk syrupdelivery system as specified in claim 21, said multichannel deliveryhose comprising a plurality of separate tubes which are encased by anouter jacket.
 24. A bulk syrup delivery system as specified in claim 21,said multichannel hose and multichannel receiving coupling including thechannels configured with a central channel and a plurality ofcircumferential channels positioned around said central channel.
 25. Abulk syrup delivery system as specified in claim 24, said multichannelhose having a plurality of different sized channels therein, with atleast one larger sized channel being provided for a flavored syrup whichthe account dispenses a greater volume of than other different flavoredsyrups, and at least one larger sized channel comprising one of saidcircumferential channels to provide for proper positioning of thedelivery coupling with respect to a corresponding receiving coupling atan account.
 26. A bulk syrup delivery system as specified in claim 25,said central channel also comprising a larger sized channel.
 27. A bulksyrup delivery system as specified in claim 21, said mulitchannelreceiving coupling having a manually operated coupling means forsecuring a delivery coupling to said receiving coupling, with theconnection of said coupling members simultaneously securing and sealingthe corresponding delivery and receiving coupling members together andalso opening said plurality of closure valves to enable delivery of thedifferent flavored syrups to an account.
 28. A bulk syrup deliverysystem as specified in claim 27, said multichannel receiving couplingincluding a plurality of check valves therein, one for each channel inthe receiving coupling.